# FileBrowser vs FE File Explorer

FileBrowser and FE File Explorer both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 82% of FileBrowser's written reviews are positive against 67% of FE File Explorer's. FE File Explorer's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $7.99). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

FileBrowser costs $7.99 and FE File Explorer $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for FileBrowser against 4.7 for FE File Explorer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5.6K and 5.8K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of FileBrowser's written reviews are positive against 67% of FE File Explorer's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FileBrowser | FE File Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $7.99 | **$4.99** |
| Rating | [4.7 (5.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/filebrowser-documents-manager/id364738545/reviews) | [4.7 (5.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fe-file-explorer/id499470113/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5.6K | **5.8K** |
| Positive reviews | **82.1% of reviews** | 67.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #127 | **#70** |
| Size | 70 MB | 103 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Stratospherix Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/323133606) | [Skyjos Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/499470116) |

## What reviewers say

### FileBrowser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/filebrowser-documents-manager/id364738545)

**Currently charting:** #127 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

Access and manage files across your home computers, network drives, and cloud storage. Upload, download, copy, and edit documents directly from your device, with built-in viewers for various file types and streaming capabilities.

**Highlights:** Connect to computers, NAS, and cloud storage, Upload, download, copy, and move files, Multi-tabbed browsing and split-screen support, Edit documents in-place, Built-in viewers for documents, photos, and media, Stream movies and music with AirPlay/Chromecast, Annotate PDFs and images

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great file manager
- 🚀 Powerful and versatile
- 🔒 Secure access to files
- 💡 Excellent integration with iOS Files app
- 👍 Reliable and stable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 SMB connection issues
- 🐛 Misleading directory caching
- 🐛 Video playback problems
- 🐛 Buggy UI changes
- 🐛 Inability to rename photos

**Reported bugs**

- Copy and paste functionality broken after update
- Inability to access iCloud files
- Crashes when accessing large files
- Thumbnails not generating properly

**Requested features**

- Add support for AV1 video codec
- Improve audio playback controls
- Implement a recycle bin/trash feature
- Add option to loop video playback
- Improve video scrubbing and seeking


### FE File Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fe-file-explorer/id499470113)

**Currently charting:** #70 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

Manage files across your devices and cloud storage. Access and transfer documents, photos, and media from computers, NAS, and cloud services directly on your iPhone or iPad without downloading.

**Highlights:** Access network shares (SMB/CIFS), Connect to WebDAV, FTP, SFTP servers, Integrate with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, Stream media from network/cloud, Transfer files between devices, Direct file management on remote storage

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent file management
- 🔒 Secure access to files
- 👍 Versatile connectivity options
- 👍 Seamless integration with iOS Files app
- 👍 Reliable performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 🐛 Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with password protection
- 🔋 High battery consumption during use

**Reported bugs**

- Video playback issues, including audio-video sync problems
- Inability to transfer files from local storage to external drives
- Unreliable SMB and FTP connectivity
- Recent update breaking existing functionality

**Requested features**

- Ability to password-protect individual folders
- Improved navigation for large file/folder lists
- Sync functionality between devices
- Chromecast support
- Integrated PDF annotation tools


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FileBrowser free?

FileBrowser costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is FE File Explorer free?

FE File Explorer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, FileBrowser or FE File Explorer?

FileBrowser and FE File Explorer are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 5.6K and 5.8K ratings respectively.

### Do FileBrowser or FE File Explorer have ads?

Neither FileBrowser nor FE File Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FileBrowser or FE File Explorer?

FileBrowser ships an update every 5 weeks, and FE File Explorer every 5 weeks. Most recently, FileBrowser was updated on September 24, 2026 and FE File Explorer on September 22, 2026.

### Which is more popular, FileBrowser or FE File Explorer?

FileBrowser currently peaks at #127 in the App Store charts, and FE File Explorer at #70. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*